The Mars Inquest

In 1976, the Viking landers calculated the exact composition of atmospheric components on Mars. They postulated that the oxygen levels were a mere .15% compared to higher traces of argon, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide which made up a staggering 95. 3% of the air. The living conditions on Mars are beyond impossible to survive and even if it were, the violent winds and dust storms, known as Dust Devils, would surely rend you apart.

In the advancing decades, Earth has endured to reach the year 2056. Many of the resources we once took for granted are scarce and now cherished greatly. Trees themselves are protected by numerous foundations and harvested for survival. Diseases such as AIDS and HIV are rampant but cancer is on the steady decline with new advents in science. The living conditions on Earth are becoming less sustainable and today, NASA have forged their intellect with Russian Space companies, RSA and the newly founded STA, to venture out into space and land on Mars for field tests on the possibilities of creating a disparate community for the rich.

The mission, titled 'The Mars Inquest' is top secret and classified even from most members of the governments. The expedition is scheduled for launch in the year 2058 and will entail several Astronauts and Cosmonauts going to the red planet for critical analysis and research. John Dearson, head of the research facility in Houston, Texas, opposes the plans for a society on Mars, branding it as a waste of time. John's counterparts within NASA ignore his words and threaten his position if he continues to affront their progress and undergo the initial phases along with Russia.

In the two years prior to launch a team of highly prolific researchers and scientists begin work on engineering structural bases capable of withstanding the harsh aspects of Mars. John resigns from NASA after the first year passes by with unchanged intentions for the expedition and before long, the mission is only months away.

Ten spacemen are assigned to crew the shuttle; Russian, American and one French spaceman who is recommended by the French aerospace company, ATFA. The leaders of Earth with knowledge of the mission nervously anticipate the coming days before launch. Outside the informed circle, every human on Earth is completely unaware of the possibility that some of them will eventually live on another planet. That possibility, however, was utterly foolish to John Dearson. Two weeks before the mission John confronted 'The Mars Inquest' board for one last chance to discourage them from going through with it suggesting other ways to give man a future. He was met with a wall of rejection and asked to never return.

On 'Slavery Free' day, June 14th, 'The Mars Inquest' readied and finalised protocol for departure. Hours became minutes and unbeknownst to the vast population of mankind, perhaps the greatest space mission was nearing it's embark to Mars. The desperation of Earth's dying hospitality was relying on this day to be a success. The world's top men and woman of space travel combined their wisdom for what would hopefully lesson the tragedy of our global situation. In this distant community, people could live and prosper into a separate society, generally open to those who could afford it. Then, after ten years the bases on Mars would become vacant for a select bunch of people until Earth's plight was manageable to the extent feasible.

Although they knew it wasn't an instantaneous solution to Earth's dire need for rejuvenation, the members responsible for 'The Mars Inquest' believed these colossal bases on our neighbouring planet would prove as provisional aid and in the long run, possibly become a solution.

Years passed and wealthy people were beginning to buy their way onto Mars. Earth's predicament was diminishing somewhat and things were looking up for the future. Unfortunately, the Viking landers' finds were underestimated. In the year 3055, a Dust Devil annihilated the main base on Mars and as a consequence, wiped out all humans on its surface. In one abrupt moment, thousand of people died and the attempts on returning to Mars for rebuilding was jeopardous.

Now, in the year 3043, humans live in despair, waiting to die out and embrace extinction as best as they could. Earth's predominant funds are channeling into the revival of natural resources like forests and lakes. However Earth's present problems concerning overpopulation and lack of assets is insolvable.

In retrospect, 'The Mars Inquest' was a great success and brought auspicious hope to a race in dire need. John Dearson, however, desired for a solution to entail working on Earth before leaving it and, in the end, may have created an immortal race of man. A race with a planet by its side, a healthy planet.